Level with Digital Display

ABSTRACT

A tool, such as a digital level, includes displays on top and side surfaces of the level. The top surface display provides an additional visual means to communicate the orientation of the level by emitting any of several visual signals. A processor in the level determines a measured orientation of the level and sends a communication signal to the top surface display to emit a selected visual signal based on the measured orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/796,549, filed Feb. 20, 2020, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2020/018817, Feb. 19, 2020, whichclaims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/807,948, filed Feb. 20, 2019, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of levels, andmore specifically to a digital level. Levels are used for a variety ofapplications, particularly in the building and construction trades.Traditionally, to measure orientation a level uses one or more vialsthat contain a liquid (e.g., ethanol) and a small bubble of gas (e.g.,air). The walls of the traditional vial are arcuate-shaped such thatwhen the level is placed on a sufficiently horizontal or verticalsurface, the bubble of air is aligned at or near the center of at leastone of the vials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a digital level thatincludes a primary display on a side face of the level and asupplemental display on a top surface. The top display provides anadditional visual means to communicate the orientation of the level to auser. In various embodiments, the visual signals include a first symbolindicating that a side of the level associated with the top displayshould be lowered, a second symbol indicating that the side of the levelassociated with the top display should be raised and a third symbolindicating that the level is oriented at a target orientation. In aspecific embodiment, the visual signals include a “−” (minus) symbol toindicate that side should be lowered, a “+” (plus) symbol to indicatethat side should be raised, and a “O” (circle) symbol to indicate thelevel is at a target orientation.

In one embodiment, the digital level is a torpedo level and includes atop surface with a display, a side surface with a display, and aprocessor, such as a microcontroller unit. The processor communicatessignals to the top and side displays based on a measured orientation ofthe level, and the top and side displays display indicia that indicatethe level's orientation. The processor includes a built-in displaydriver (e.g., an LCD driver, which would be used with LCD displays) tointerface with the side display. In one embodiment the processor is anE105 MCU (STM8L052) with a built-in LCD driver. The processor may beimplemented in software, hardware, firmware, or some combination of thethree.

In one embodiment, the top display extends from an edge of a circuitboard, such as a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA). The circuitboard includes multiple lights or light sources (e.g., LEDs) that arepaired with light pipes to communicate light to emissive components inthe display. The circuit board receives a signal indicating which symbolto display and identifies which light or lights should be toggled on. Inthis embodiment the display does not require an LCD component becausethe selection of which LEDs to illuminate dictates what symbol the topdisplay will emit. Alternatively, the top display may also include anLCD component to control the symbol being emitted by the top display.

In one embodiment, the top display extends from a face of a circuitboard. The circuit board includes multiple lights (e.g., LEDs) that arepaired with light pipes to communicate the light to the display. Thecircuit board receives a signal indicating which symbol to display andidentifies which light or lights should be toggled on.

In one embodiment, a level includes a planar base surface, a top surfaceopposing the base surface, a primary longitudinal axis, a first end ofthe level along the primary longitudinal axis, a second end opposing thefirst end, an orientation sensor configured to measure an orientation ofone of the top and base surfaces with respect to the force of gravity, aprimary display that displays a first image that corresponds to themeasured orientation, and a secondary display that displays a secondimage that corresponds to the measured orientation.

In another embodiment a level includes a planar base surface, a topsurface opposing the base surface, an orientation sensor that measuresan orientation of one of the top and base surfaces, a primary displaythat displays a first image that corresponds to the measuredorientation, a secondary display that displays a second image thatcorresponds to the measured orientation, a light-emitting device, and alight pipe that provides optical communication between thelight-emitting device and the secondary display.

In another embodiment a level includes a level body, an interior cavitydefined within the body, a planar base surface defined by the levelbody, a top surface defined by the level body and opposing the basesurface, an orientation sensor coupled to the level body and thatmeasures an orientation of one of the top and base surfaces, alight-emitting device located within the interior cavity and coupled tothe level body, a light pipe coupled to the light-emitting device, adisplay positioned adjacent to a surface of the level body, the displaycoupled to and supported adjacent the surface by the light pipe, thelight pipe provides optical communication between the light-emittingdevice and the display, and the display displays an image visibleoutside the level body and that corresponds to the measured orientation.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detaileddescription which follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art from the description or recognized bypracticing the embodiments as described in the written descriptionincluded, as well as the appended drawings. It is to be understood thatboth the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understandingand are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with thedescription, serve to explain principles and operation of the variousembodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital level with multiple displays,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective top view of a display extending from anedge of a circuit board, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective side view of the display of FIG. 2,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective bottom view of the display of FIG. 2,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the display of FIG. 2, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is perspective top view of a display extending from a face of acircuit board, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective side view of the display of FIG. 6,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a display system schematic of a digital level, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a digital level with multiple displays,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an electronic system schematic of a digital level, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a series of tables showing power usage for differentembodiment and power supplies for the digital levels discussed herein,according to exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a digitallevel are shown. Various embodiments of the digital level discussedherein include displays on both top and side surfaces of the digitallevel. The top display includes emissive components and a circuit boardwith LEDs. The LEDs and emissive components are in visual communicationvia light pipes that transmit light emitted by the LEDs to the emissivecomponents.

One advantage of this approach is that it provides robust displaycapabilities on multiple sides of the level, but does not require theprocessing, power and component overhead consistent with a morecomplicated display like an LCD. Because the display requires lesscomplicated processing and hardware support, the development,improvement and maintenance associated with producing and supporting thelevel is simplified. Not only does this approach reduce the difficultyof manufacturing the top display specifically and the level generally,but it also reduces the required complexity of the software and firmwaredeveloped for the level (e.g., an LCD display driver is not required forthe level's processor to interact with the top display).

In one embodiment a top display extends from a top edge of a circuitboard. The top display provides visual signals indicative of theorientation of the level (e.g., a “+” plus symbol, a “−” minus symbol,and a “O” circle symbol). The top display includes several emissivecomponents that receive light from LEDs on the circuit board. Thecircuit board receives a signal indicating which signal to emit, and,based on that signal toggles on the appropriate LED(s) that correspondto the emissive components that will produce the appropriate symbol.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a level, such as digital level 10, is shownaccording to an exemplary embodiment. In general, level 10 includeshousing 22, front display 20, and top display 30. The level bodyincludes a generally planar base surface and an opposing upper surface(e.g., top surface) that is generally parallel to the planar basesurface. As will be generally understood, the base of the level isplaced on a workpiece (e.g., a structure, surface, etc.) in order forthe user of the level to measure the degree of a surface of theworkpiece, including but not limited to whether the surface is level,plumb, or other orientations.

Level 10 includes first measuring surfaces 16 on a bottom of level 10(from the perspective of FIG. 1), and second measuring surfaces 18 on afront of level 10 (from the perspective of FIG. 1). Measuring surfaces16, 18 provide very flat surfaces and/or edges that permit level 10 tomeasure the orientation of other objects by placing one of the measuringsurfaces 16, 18 against the object being measured. It is considered thatlevel 10 may have any number of measuring surfaces (e.g., 1-6). Level 10includes a primary longitudinal axis 12 that is aligned with the lengthof level 10.

Front display 20 is the primary output device and is arranged along anexterior sidewall of housing 22. Front display 20 communicates theorientation of level 10 (e.g., is the level 10 perpendicular to gravity)and receives input from a user. Top display 30 is a secondary outputdevice and is arranged on an upper surface 24 of housing (from theperspective of FIG. 1). Top display 30 provides digital I/O for users.

Turning to FIGS. 2-5, top display 30 is coupled to board 32, which isshown as circuit board 32, and extends from top edge 34 of board 32. Topdisplay 30 provides visual signals indicative of the orientation oflevel 10. For example, if top display 30 emits a first visual signal,such as a “+” (plus) symbol, then the side of level 10 with top display30 is too low and level 10 needs to be rotated so that top display 30 israised. If top display 30 emits a second visual signal, such as a “−”(minus) symbol, then the side of level 10 with top display 30 is toohigh and level 10 needs to be rotated so that top display 30 is lowered.If top display 30 emits a third visual signal, such as a “O” (circle)symbol, then level 10 has an orientation within a threshold of a targetorientation. The target orientation of level 10 may be configured by theuser dynamically. For example, the target orientation of level 10 may beperpendicular to gravity (i.e., parallel to level ground), parallel togravity (e.g., plumb) or any selected orientation (e.g., a 45 degreeangle between longitudinal axis 12 of level 10 and level ground).

To emit these symbols, top display 30 includes several emissivecomponents 44, including first and second elevating symbol lights 46,48, lowering symbol light 50, and level symbol light 52. Emissivecomponents 44 are supported by supports 56 and receive light emitted byLEDs 58 via light pipes 54. Light pipes 54 provide optical communicationbetween one or more LEDs 58 and one or more emissive components 44, suchas by channeling light from LEDs 58 to emissive components 44. In oneembodiment light pipes 54 surround LEDs 58 and therefore capture much ofthe light emitted by LEDs 58. In one embodiment LEDs 58 are right-angleLEDs that emit light perpendicularly to the surface to which they areattached (best shown FIG. 3).

LEDs 58 include first LED 60, second LED 62, third LED 64, fourth LED 66and fifth LED 68. In the embodiment depicted, each LED 58 emits lightvia light pipes 54 to a single emissive component 44. First LED 60 andfifth LED 68 emit light to level symbol 52 (e.g., the “O” symbol).Second LED 62 and fourth LED 66 emit light to first and second elevatingsymbols 46, 48, respectively (e.g., the “|” component of the “+”symbol). Third LED 64 emits light to lowering symbol 50 (e.g., both the“−” symbol and the “−” component of the “+” symbol). It should beunderstood, that while the embodiments discussed herein are discussed interms of symbols “+”, “−” and “O”, any symbols suitable to provide thevarious indications discussed herein may be used.

In use, when level 10 is determined to be within a threshold of thetarget orientation, first and fifth LEDs 60, 68 are toggled on and emitlight to level symbol 52, which then emits a “O” symbol indicating tothe worker that level 10 is level. On the other hand, when top display30 of level 10 is determined to be too low, then second, third andfourth LEDs 62, 64, 66 are toggled on and emit light to first and secondelevating symbols 46, 48 and lowering symbol 50, which then emits a “+”symbol indicating to the worker that the side of level 10 with topdisplay 30 needs to be raised. When top display 30 of level 10 isdetermined to be too high, then third LED 64 is toggled on and emitslight to lowering symbol 50, which then emits a “−” symbol indicating tothe worker that the side of level 10 with top display 30 needs to belowered.

In the embodiment depicted top display 30 is disposed on an end of level10 opposite the handle. In another embodiment, top display 30 isdisposed on the same end of level 10 as the handle. In eitherarrangement of top display 30, the “+” and “−” symbols indicate whetherthe side of level 10 including top display 30 should be moved up ordown, respectively.

As described herein, top display 30 extends from top edge 34 and face 36of board 32. Board 32 comprises length 38, height 40, and width 42.Although a certain length, height and width is depicted, other lengths,heights and widths for board 32 may be utilized and still practice thisdisclosure.

Turning to FIGS. 6-7, top display 30 in this embodiment extends fromface 36 of board 32. In this embodiment top display 30 again comprisesemissive components 44 receiving light from LEDs 58 to emit the “+”, “−”and “O” symbols.

Turning to FIG. 8, processor 90, shown as MCU 90, controls front display20 and top display 30 via the depicted schematic. In this embodimentfront display 20 is an LCD display or similar (e.g., OLED) and topdisplay 30 is the LED-based display described above.

Turning to FIG. 9, illustrated therein is an exemplary embodiment oflevel 10. Level 10 includes front display 20, a user interface includingmultiple buttons and inputs, and a handle at one longitudinal end of thelevel.

Turning to FIG. 10, illustrated therein are circuit diagrams of digitallevel 10. The upper circuit diagram includes an MCU in communicationwith a front face LCD, including one or more backlight LEDs, a topdisplay 30, which may be an LCD or an LED, a user interface includingbuttons, an accelerometer component, and a piezo driver coupled to apiezo speaker. In one embodiment, the accelerometer component comprisesdual accelerometers that are arranged perpendicularly with respect toeach other (e.g., the first accelerometer is rotated 45 degrees in onedirection with respect to level ground, and the second accelerometer isrotated 45 degrees in the opposite direction). In one embodiment, thepower supply for level 10 includes one or more batteries selected fromone of AA batteries or AAA batteries.

Turning to FIG. 11, illustrated therein are a series of powermeasurements for exemplary configurations of a digital level in variousconfigurations and operational states.

In a specific embodiment the primary display (e.g., front display 20) ispositioned on a side surface of digital level 10. In a specificembodiment the primary display (e.g., front display 20) is positioned ona surface of level other than the top surface, and the secondary display(e.g., top display 30) is positioned on the top surface. In a specificembodiment, the primary display (e.g., front display 20) defines an arealarger than the area defined by the secondary display (e.g., top display30).

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the presentapplication is not limited to the details or methodology set forth inthe description or illustrated in the figures. It should also beunderstood that the terminology is for description purposes only andshould not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in thevarious exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Someelements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwisevaried, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions maybe altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logicalalgorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according toalternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes andomissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions andarrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intendedthat any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, andis not intended to be construed as meaning only one. As used herein,“rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a mannersuch that the components move together in a fixed positionalrelationship when acted upon by a force.

Various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any ofthe features, and any such combination of features may be claimed inthis or future applications. Any of the features, elements or componentsof any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be utilizedalone or in combination with any of the features, elements or componentsof any of the other embodiments discussed above.

What is claimed is:
 1. A level comprising: a level body, comprising: aplanar base surface, a top surface opposing the base surface, a firstlongitudinal end, and a second longitudinal end opposite the firstlongitudinal end; an orientation sensor configured couple to the levelbody, the orientation sensor configured to measure an orientation of oneof the top and base surfaces with respect to the force of gravity; aprimary display coupled to the level body; and a secondary displaycoupled to the level body and spaced apart from the primary display by aportion of the level body, the secondary display orientedperpendicularly to the primary display; wherein the primary displaydisplays a first digital image that corresponds to the measuredorientation; and wherein the secondary displays a second digital imagethat corresponds to the measured orientation.
 2. The level of claim 1,wherein the primary display defines a first display area, and whereinthe secondary display defines a second display area that is smaller thanthe first display area.
 3. The level of claim 1, wherein the primarydisplay is positioned along a surface of the level other than the topsurface, and wherein the secondary display is positioned along the topsurface.
 4. The level of claim 3, further comprising a side surfaceextending between the base surface and the top surface, wherein theprimary display is positioned along the side surface.
 5. The level ofclaim 1, wherein the secondary display displays a plurality of digitalimages, including the second digital image, that correspond to themeasured orientation.
 6. The level of claim 5, wherein the secondarydisplay is closer to the first longitudinal end than the secondlongitudinal end.
 7. The level of claim 5, further comprising alight-emitting device, wherein the secondary display comprises aplurality of display elements that are selectively illuminated, byselective control of the light-emitting device, to display the pluralityof digital images.
 8. The level of claim 7, wherein the plurality ofdigital images comprises the second digital image that indicates thefirst longitudinal end should be raised relative to the secondlongitudinal end, a third digital image that indicates the firstlongitudinal end should be lowered relative to the second longitudinalend, and a fourth digital image that indicates the first longitudinalend is at a target orientation with respect to the second longitudinalend.
 9. The level of claim 8, wherein the plurality of display elementscomprises a first display element and a second display element, andwherein the first display element is illuminated in the second digitalimage and the third digital image but is not illuminated in the fourthdigital image.
 10. The level of claim 9, wherein the second displayelement is not illuminated in the second digital image and the thirddigital image but is illuminated in the fourth digital image.
 11. Alevel comprising: a planar base surface; a top surface opposing the basesurface; a side surface extending between the base surface and the topsurface; a primary longitudinal axis; a first end of the level along theprimary longitudinal axis; a second end opposing the first end; anorientation sensor configured to measure an orientation of one of thetop and base surfaces with respect to the force of gravity; a primarydisplay positioned along the side surface; and a secondary displaypositioned along the top surface; wherein the primary display generatesa first visual signal that corresponds to the measured orientation;wherein the secondary display generates a second visual signal thatcorresponds to the measured orientation; and wherein the secondarydisplay comprises a plurality of display elements that are selectivelyilluminated to indicate a plurality of orientations of one of the topand base surfaces.
 12. The level of claim 11, further comprising alight-emitting device, wherein the secondary display comprises aplurality of display elements that are selectively illuminated, byselective control of the light-emitting device, to indicate a pluralityof orientations of one of the top and base surfaces.
 13. The level ofclaim 12, further comprising a light pipe coupled to the light-emittingdevice.
 14. The level of claim 13, wherein the light pipe is coupled tothe secondary display.
 15. The level of claim 13, wherein the light pipesupports the secondary display.
 16. A level comprising: a level body; aninterior cavity defined within the body; a planar base surface definedby the level body; a top surface defined by the level body and opposingthe base surface; an orientation sensor coupled to the level body andconfigured to measure an orientation of one of the top and base surfaceswith respect to the force of gravity; a light-emitting device locatedwithin the interior cavity and coupled to the level body; a light pipecoupled to the light-emitting device; and a display positioned adjacentto an external surface of the level body, the display coupled to andsupported adjacent the external surface of the level body by the lightpipe; wherein the light pipe provides optical communication between thelight-emitting device and the display such that light emitted from thelight-emitting device and communicated through the light pipe generatesa digital image this is visible outside the level body and thatcorresponds to the measured orientation.
 17. The level of claim 16,further comprising an electronics board coupled to the level body,wherein the light-emitting device is directly coupled to the electronicsboard, and wherein the light pipe is directly coupled to the electronicsboard.
 18. The level of claim 17, wherein the electronics board definesa primary longitudinal axis, and wherein the light pipe extends from theelectronics board perpendicularly to the primary longitudinal axis ofthe electronics board.
 19. The level of claim 16, wherein the light pipeis directly coupled to the light-emitting device.
 20. The level of claim16, wherein the display comprises a plurality of display elements thatare selectively illuminated to indicate a plurality of orientations ofone of the top and base surfaces.